Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a white mushroom with a shaggy appearance that has been used in Asian herbal medicine for a very, very long time. It grows on trees and logs, and when you cook it, it tastes a little like crab or lobster.

Recent studies show that it may really help improve memory and focus, boost mood, and strengthen the immune system. Get ready, this article goes into detail about seven benefits of lion's mane that are backed by science. Each benefit is explained in simple terms and backed up by recent studies.

1. Sharper Brain: Helps with Memory and Focus

It's no secret; researchers have found that lion's mane can help improve brain function. In one study with animals, mice that were given lion's mane extract had better spatial memory and learned how to get through mazes faster than mice that weren't given the extract. There have also been gains in small human trials.

A separate study involving healthy young adults demonstrated that participants exhibited expedited decision-making on cognitive tasks (specifically, a Stroop test) merely one hour following a single administration of lion’s mane extract. Put another way, lion's mane seems to help people remember things and think more quickly.

Better memory: After four months of lion's mane, older adults with early memory problems did better on cognitive tests.

Faster thinking: Adults who were healthy were able to finish brain tasks faster an hour after taking lion's mane.

Focus every day: Even a few studies show that people feel sharper and less "foggy" when they use it regularly.

These results are in line with a recent review that said lion's mane is "effective in neuroprotection and enhancing cognitive function".

In short, lion's mane has strong proof that it can help your brain naturally.

2. Grow Your Brain: It helps nerves grow and new neurons form.

People talk a lot about how lion's mane affects brain cells. Erinacines and hericenones are chemicals found in lion's mane that increase nerve growth factor (NGF) and other growth signals in the brain. NGF and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) are like fertilizers for neurons. They help new brain cells grow and make connections between neurons stronger.

Increases hormones in the brain: A systematic review indicates that lion's mane "stimulates the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), facilitating neuronal activity and survival. In short, it activates the brain's own signals for growth.

In a lab experiment, neurons from the hippocampus, a part of the brain that helps with learning, grew bigger and made more connections when they were exposed to lion's mane compounds. This means that lion's mane could actually help create new pathways in the brain.

People call lion's mane "brain food" because it helps nerves. It might even help fix nerves that have been hurt. For instance, some animal studies show that it helps nerves heal after they have been hurt (thanks to its NGF boost). In real life, this means that lion's mane isn't just good for short-term focus; it may also help your brain make new cells and stay healthy over time.

3. Better Mood: Helps with anxiety and depression

Lion's mane doesn't just help the brain; it also seems to calm the mind.

Several small studies have shown that taking lion's mane supplements can help with anxiety and make you feel better. For example, a study of middle-aged menopausal women who ate cookies with lion's mane for a month found that their depression and anxiety scores were much lower by the end of the trial. In the same way, an 8-week study of overweight adults found that those who took lion's mane had fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety (and even better sleep) than those who took a placebo.

Help with anxiety and depression: After weeks of taking lion's mane, people in several trials said they felt less anxious and sad. One study even found that taking supplements every day (1.2 g/day for 8 weeks) made people feel better.

Stress reduction: A pilot study involving healthy adults indicated a trend towards decreased perceived stress following one month of lion’s mane supplementation. supplementspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Scientists think this has to do with how lion's mane affects brain chemicals. Lion's mane helps balance neurotransmitters and lower "neuroinflammation," which can cause mood problems, by boosting NGF and BDNF. The same systematic review said that lion's mane "improved behavior and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety" in human trials. People who take lion's mane often say they feel calmer and more emotionally stable in everyday language.

4. Immune Booster: Makes your body's defenses stronger

Lion's mane seems to boost the immune system in addition to the brain.

Lion's mane extracts boost gut immunity and encourage the growth of healthy gut bacteria, which are important for a strong immune response, according to studies on animals.

For instance, one study found that mice that were given lion's mane had a lot more activity in their intestinal immune cells and gut microbes that protect them (healthline.com). A 2012 study that is very impressive showed that mice that were given a deadly dose of Salmonella bacteria lived almost four times longer if they were given lion's mane extract first.

Boosts gut immunity: Animal studies show that lion's mane boosts immune activity in the intestines, which is where most of our immunity lives.

Better gut flora: It also tends to increase the number of "good" gut bacteria (short-chain-fatty-acid producers), which help the immune system work better.

The result is a body that is better able to fight germs in the real world. The studies on mice suggest that lion's mane supplements can help the body fight off infections more effectively.

These results confirm why traditional medicine valued lion's mane as an "immune tonic." Researchers today sum it up like this: lion's mane is "valued as a medicinal mushroom, primarily for its ... immune-boosting properties.

5. Helps with gut health and fights inflammation

Chronic inflammation is a major cause of many health problems, and lion's mane may help lower inflammation.

Studies in labs and on animals show that it calms down inflammatory processes all over the body. One review, for instance, says that lion's mane made the gut bacteria more diverse and active, which in turn lowered gut inflammation and protected the stomach. liningfrontiersin.org. It has antioxidants that stop free radicals from doing damage, which lowers inflammation in the body.

Protecting the lining of the gut: In laboratory experiments, lion's mane enhanced mucosal protection. A small study with people with ulcerative colitis even found that they felt much better after taking a multi-mushroom supplement that included lion's mane (symptoms got better in three weeks). (That study looked at other mushrooms, but it suggests that lion's mane is good for the gut.)

Systemic inflammation: Lion's mane is full of antioxidants, which means it can lower signs of inflammation in other parts of the body. One source, healthline.com, says that lion's mane "contains powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds."

Lion's mane may help with overall health by reducing inflammation in the gut and body. This could help with everything from digestion to joint pain. This is one reason why health experts often recommend lion's mane for more than just the brain. They also recommend it for IBS and "leaky gut" syndrome.

6. Protecting the heart and preventing damage from free radicals

Polysaccharides and phenols are two types of antioxidants that lion's mane has a lot of. These molecules help fight oxidative stress, which is the damage that happens over time and can lead to diseases. Research shows that lion's mane is a strong antioxidant, which works well with its anti-inflammatory properties. In real life, antioxidants keep free radicals from hurting cells in your heart, brain, and other organs.

How cholesterol and fat are broken down: Lion's mane has been shown to help animals break down fat better. For example, rats that ate a lot of fat gained less weight and had 27% lower triglycerides when they were given lion's mane extract. Lion's mane may help heart health by lowering these risk factors for heart disease.

Lion's mane contains hericenone B, a compound that some lab studies suggest may slow down blood clotting. This is one of its anti-clotting effects. In theory, this could lower the risk of stroke, but we still need more evidence from people.

Lion's mane has a lot of antioxidants, so it's not just good for your brain. It may also help protect your heart, eyes, and other organs from damage that comes with getting older. However, more human trials are needed.

7. Long-Term Support for the Brain and Nerves

Finally, new evidence suggests that lion's mane may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases and speed up nerve recovery. Researchers are interested in seeing if it can slow down Alzheimer's or dementia because it boosts NGF. A well-known study gave people with mild Alzheimer's lion's mane extract capsules (1,050 mg/day) for a year. The lion's mane group did better on cognitive tests, but the placebo group did worse. That trial is just one, but it suggests that lion's mane might help keep your brain healthy over time.

Keeps dementia away: In laboratory models, lion's mane inhibited the formation of amyloid plaques, characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, and enhanced memory retention even in pathological conditions. There aren't many human trials yet, but there is some early evidence that it can help people with early Alzheimer's.healthline.com

Regeneration of nerves: Researchers have discovered that lion's mane compounds can help nerve cells grow back.  Studies on animals show that it can help heal nerve damage, but more research is needed on humans.

Age-proofing the brain: Lion's mane has a mix of neurotrophic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects that may help slow down cognitive decline that comes with age. (Think of it as a tonic that protects your nervous system in general.)

Think of lion's mane as a brain food. Early results are promising, even though it may not be a sure cure for dementia. Researchers now use phrases like "lions's mane may protect against dementia" in their summaries.

Conclusion and What to Do Next: There are a lot of scientific reasons why lion's mane mushroom is good for you. It can make you think more clearly, help your brain grow new cells, reduce anxiety, boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, and even protect your heart and long-term brain health.

Lion's mane might be worth a try if you're worried about your health. You can eat fresh lion's mane like a meaty mushroom by sautéing it in a stir-fry or soup, or you can take a reputable extract or capsule supplement. Talk to your doctor before taking any new supplement, as always. They can help you find out if you have allergies or if your medicines interact with each other. And since natural remedies like lion's mane can take a while to work, you should wait at least a few weeks before expecting to feel any of their benefits.